Inside Garden Rescue icon Charlie Dimmock’s affair with co-star to dramatic transformation (Image: BBC)

Charlie Dimmock first made her television screen debut on Ground Force in 1997. The BBC gardening makeover programme aired for eight years until 2005. She appeared on the programme alongside hosts Alan Titchmarsh, 76, and Tommy Walsh, 69. She soon landed her own show but the series was axed after just one series. Despite this, the 59 year old went on to host Garden Rescue which she still fronts today.

But it was during her time on Ground Force which was met with scandal. The gardening guru, who is set to return to screens on Friday, once revealed she had “no regrets” over her affair with her co-star, shortly before splitting from her long-term partner.

In 2001, the expert had been dating her boyfriend John Mushnet before the former couple went their separate ways after her affair came to light.

Charlie had struck up a short-lived romance with microphone operator Andy Simmons, shortly before her split from Mushnet. A year later, the gardening expert admitted she “doesn’t see Andy anymore”.

Charlie Dimmock made her on screen debut in 1997 (Image: Getty)

Speaking about their affair in 2002, she explained: “But I don’t regret what happened. You wouldn’t do anything if you kept worrying about what might go wrong.

“John and I had been together for a long time so when we split up, I relied heavily on family and close friends.

“I’ve discovered that the most difficult after-effect of the break-up is getting into another relationship.”

The presenter also went on to date another member of Ground Force’s off-camera team – sound technician Barry Smith.

Charlie Dimmock has been open about her weight (Image: Getty)

Meanwhile, the prominent TV star has been open about her appearance since making her television debut.

In a 2016 interview with The Independent, Charlie stated: “I’ve always been up and down in my weight. I’ll never be slim or skinny, let’s put it like that. One season I’ll be a size 14, then 18, but it’s something I’ve just accepted now. I’m at that age where I think, life is too short. ”

The BBC favourite has also made some bold fashion choices on-screen while going braless on Ground Force.

Speaking up on her daring wardrobe choice, she previously said: “Ground Force was a long time ago, and I have to say, even now, people will bring it up. It is very silly. It was always just for comfort.

“If you’re swinging a sledgehammer, you want to be comfortable! People say, ‘Why don’t you wear a sports bra?’ But those are not the comfiest things in the world.”